Filled-bag-sewing machine.



No. 756,569. PATENTED APR 5, 1904.

J. BIGELOW:

FILLED BAG SEWING MACHINE. APPLICATION nun mm. 19, 1903. no MODEL. 7 a sung-Tammi.

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APPLIOATION'I'ILED PER-19, 1903.

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J. BIGELOW. V FILLED BAG SEWING MACHINE.

APPLIOATIOH FILED I'EB. 19. 1903.

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UNITED STATES Patented April 5, 1904.

JOHN BIGELOW, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

FILLED-.BAG-SEWING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 756,569, dated April 5, 1904. Original application filed May 22, 1900, Serial No. 17,552. Divided and this application filed February 19, 1903. Serial automatic devices for folding the mouths of I cation is a division.

filled bags, preserving the fold,anddelivering the same to the stitch-forming mechanism of a sewing-machine.

My present invention relates to certain modified constructions of the filled-bag-sewing machine shown and described in my application for Letters Patent, filed May 22, 1900, Serial No. 17,552, of .which the present appli- The invention consists generally in providing a filled-bag-sewing machine with an automatic device for folding the mouth of the bag and feeding said folded mouth to suitable stitch-forming mechanism.

The invention consists further in the constructions and combinations hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification,Figure 1 is aside view of a part of a filled-bag-sewing machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a top view of the folding device shown in Fig. 1, illustrating also its relation to the stitch-forming mechanism and to a clipping device. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line .1 a of Fig. 2,showing the folding device open ready to receive the mouth of the bag. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3,'showing the folding device closed and showing the relation of the parts of the folder to a stationary work-plate and feed. Fig. 5 is a front elevation,partly broken away, of the automatic folder shown in Figs. 2 and 4:. Fig. 6 is a transverse section on line y y of Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6, but showing the parts of the folder open to receive the mouth of the bag. Fig. 8 is a detailed plan view of the parts of the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 9 is a side elevation showing the folder provided with a (No model.)

revolving folder-bar adapted to be vibrated or reciprocated toward and away from the stitch-forming mechanism. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the folder illustrated in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is an end view of one form of holdingclamps adapted to bring pressure on the top and bottom edges of the folder-bar illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. Fig. 12 is a detailed section of another form of holding-clamps arranged to press upon the sides of the folderbar. Fig. 13 is a plan View showing amodified construction of folder-bar in the form of a worm-shaft. Fig. 14 is a detailed section, on an enlarged scale, on line 2 z of Fig. 13. Figs. 15 and .16 illustrate the double folds formed in the mouths of bags by the devices shown and described in this application. Fig. 17 illustrates means for holding the corner of the bag on the folder-bar by a clip while the fold is being formed in the mouth of the bag.

In the specification and drawings of my former application I have illustrated and described an organized mechanism for forming a fold in the mouth of a bag, maintaining this fold while feeding the bag to a stitch-forming mechanism, sewing the mouth of the bag while thus folded, and cutting the thread after sewing the mouth of the bag. In the structure of my present application I employ the same organized mechanism; but instead of providing a stationary folder-bar over which the fold in the mouth of the bag is formed by hand I provide an automatic folder by means of which after the mouth of the bag is laid thereon the fold in the bag, preferably a double fold, is automatically formed.

In the drawings, A represents the frame of the machine, B the table, 0 the bag-carrier arranged upon said table, D the stitch-forming mechanism, and E the thread-clipper, these parts being all substantially of the same construction as in my former application, hereinbefore referred to. Arranged upon the frame of the machine is the vertical plate 3, which forms one of the fold-holders and which is longitudinallyslotted,so as topermitthevibratory serrated feed-bar 4 to project through said plate. This bar, which is of substantially the same length as the plate, is operated to feed the folded mouth of the bag to the stitchforming mechanism in the manner described in my said form er application. Suitable standards or brackets 5 are also supported upon the frame of the machine, and a shaft 6, extending longitudinally of the machine, is mounted in these brackets. A head 7 is secured upon the shaft 6 at the end of the machine farthest from the stitch-forming mechanism, and this head extends forward over the plate 3. A similar head 7 is secured near the other end of shaft 6. Mounted in bearings in the head 7 is the revoluble folder-bar 1. This bar, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, consists of a flat metal plate having one free end and having its opposite end secured upon a crankarm 32, formed upon or secured to a shaft 33, that is mounted in bearings in the head 7. A movable fold-holder 2 is also provided to operate in conjunction with the stationary plate or fold-holder 3 and the folder 1. The fold-holder 2 also consists, preferably, of a flat bar mounted upon the crank-arm 34. These crankarms are revolubly supported, one upon a shaft 35 in the head 7 and'the other upon a short shaft or stud in the head 7. A gear 8 is provided upon the shaft 33 and a corresponding gear 8 is provided upon the shaft 35. A lever-handle 9 is secured upon the shaft 35, and this handle is provided with a cam 36. A cam-piece 37 is arranged upon the stationary plate or fold-holder 3 and projects forward therefrom. (See Figs. 3 and 4.) Aspring 12 is connected to the frame of the machine and also to the head 7. This spring operating upon the head 7 brings the cam 36 in contact with the cam-piece 37, and

the contactbetween the cam and cam-piece determines the position of the folder-bar 1 when the parts are brought into the position shown in 4. By turning the handle 9 up into the position illustrated in Fig. 3 the cam 36, acting on the cam-piece 37, swings the head 7 outward, so that the folder-bar 1 may rotate without coming in contact with the stationary fold-holder or plate 3. The same movement of the lever rotates the shaft 35 and turns the foldholder 2 into the position shown in Fig. 3. Through the pinions or gears 8 and 8 the shaft 33 is also rotated, and the folder 1 is swung from the position indicated in Fig. 4

to that shown in Fig. 3. The folder 1 is provided with one or more clips 13, and the mouth of the bag is laid alongside the folder 1, and one corner (that nearest the head 7) is slipped under one of the clips 13. (See Fig. 17.) The opposite corner of the bag is held by the hand of the operator against the side of the folder 1. Where several clips are provided, any one of them may be used as required for the width of the bag to be sewed. The leverhandle 9 is then swung downward from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4. By this means the shaft 32 will be given a partial rotation upon its axis, and

thereby the folder 1 will be partially rotated, being turned from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4. The mouth of the bag will thereby be automatically wrapped around the bar 1, and the double fold (illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16) will be formed. At the same time the shaft 35 will be given a partial rotation, and the fold-holder 2 will be swung downward from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig. 4 and will firmly clamp the outside of the fold between the edge of the fold-holder 2 and the side of the folderbar 1. The inner side of the fold will at the same time be clamped between the folder-bar 1 and the stationary plate or fold-holder 3. As above stated, one of the crank-arms 34, supporting the fold-holder 2, is mounted upon the head 7. (See Figs. 6 and 7.) The head 7 is also secured to the shaft 6 and moves in harmony with the head 7. The crank-arm 34, that is mounted on the head 7', is provided with alug 11, and an adjusting-screw 11. passing through the head 7 is adapted to engage the lug 11 and regulate the position of the fold-holder 2 in reference to the folder-bar 1. A spring 10 is connected to the crank-arm 34 and to'the bracket 5, and this spring holds the fold-holder 2 against the fold in the bag. When the fold-holder 2 is raised to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 7 of the drawings, the spring 10 maintains it in this position. While I have shown the folding devices arranged to be opened and closed by the handlever 9, it is obvious that these parts may be operated by foot-power, or, if preferred, they may be operated by any other suitable means under the control of the operator.

The operation of the device is as follows: The parts being in the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the'mouth of the bag is applied to the folder-bar 1 in the manner already described. The handle 9 is turned downward, bringing all the parts into the position shown in Fig. 4. The fold illustrated in Figs. 15 and 16 of the drawings is thereby formed in the top or mouth of the bag, and this fold is maintained by the devices described until the sewing operation is completed. While the parts are in the position illustrated in Fig. 4 the vibrating feed bar 4 feeds the mouth of the bag forward simultaneously with the forward movement given to the bag itself by the bag-carrier C-upon the-table B, and thereby the folded bag-mouth is brought beneath the presser devices 25 25 25 and a seam is formed therein by the stitch-forming mechanism. The presser device 25 may be the ordinary presser-foot, while the presser devices 25 and 25 may be independent and provided with independent means for supporting and operating the same, the device 25' being designed to insure the proper movement of the material from the folder to the stitch-forming mechanism and the device 25" being designed to insure the movement of the ISO material from the stitch-forming mechanism to the clipper 26. Beyond the clipper 26 I have shown a roughened wheel 27, with a spring 28 pressing against it. The sewed bag-mouth passes between the face of the wheel and the spring, and the wheel is rotated by any suitable means at a speed of proper relation to the feed of the machine to keep the material of the bag-mouth drawn by it over the spring 28 taut and insure the proper action of the clipper. I have shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings the adjustable"bag-support 31 for the side of the bag, and I have illustrated in this figure a bag in position in the machine with the mouth thereof folded and held in position by the devices already described. If preferred, the side support 31 may also be provided at the opposite side of the bag. WVhere this support is used at the opposite side of the bag, however, it need extend only from apoint slightly in advance of the stitchforming mechanism to one a little beyond the clipper.

In Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings I have shown a modified construction. As here shown, the folder 1 is also in the form of a fiat bar; but it is provided with a serrated edge, and it is arranged to be reciprocated longitudinally, together with the shaft 32, upon which it is supported, by means of a lever 19', suitably pivoted upon the frame of the machine and arranged to be vibrated by any suitable connection (not shown) with the driving-shaft of the machine. The folder by this means can be moved forward and back toward and from the stitch-forming mechanism, each movement being the length of a stitch, in harmony with the feed of the sew- 'it is in line with it.

ing mechanism. In this construction the folder-bar 1 is not offset from the shaft 32; but Said shaft is capable of being rotated by means of the pinion 17 upon the shaft 32 and suitable pinions 17 arranged between the pinion 17 and the shaft 6, which is adapted to be turned by means of a handlever 50. In this construction the fold-holder 3 instead of being in the form of a stationary plate is mounted upon the swinging arm 16, (see Figs. 11, 12, and 14,) and the fold-holder 2 is mounted upon a swinging arm 15. These arms are pivoted upon the shaft 6, mounted in the brackets or standards 5. A bell-crank lever 20 is mounted at 23 upon the frame A of the machine. This bell-crank lever may be operated by means of a rod 20, connected to a treadle, a hand-lever, or to any other suitable device. The swinging arms -and 16 are connected to the bell-crank lever 20 by means of the rod 15 and 16. A spring 21 is connected to the bracket 5 and also to the bell-crank lever 20. By the action of the spring 21 the fold-holders 2 and 3 are pressed against the folder-bar 1. By pressing downward upon the horizontal arm of the bellcranl: lever 20 the swinging arms 15 and 16 around it, as shown in Fig. 12. The ends of the fold-holders 2 and 3 are in this instance sprung inward, (see Fig. 10,) so as to exert an elastic pressure on either side of the folder, so as to permit the feed-teeth of the folder to freely move the mouth of the bag toward the stitchforming mechanism and prevent the mouth of the bag from moving backward with the folder in its reverse movement. The same side clips 13 for holding a corner of the bag may be employed as in the construction already described. These clips are adapted to hold the corner of the bag firmly while the fold is being made; but as they are open at one end they permit the material held by them to be easily drawn out in the direction of the feed-that is, toward the stitch-forming mechanism.

In the construction shown in Figs. 13 and 1a of the drawings the folder-bar 1 is in the form of a long left-hand screw or worm, connected to and in line with the shaft 32, and this shaft is adapted to be driven through suitable gearing connected with the driving-shaft of the machine. As any suitable connection may be used for this purpose, I have not thought it necessary to illustrate the details of such connection-in this application. I have here shown the shaft 32 provided with a suitable pinion fl, that is in mesh with a pinion 42 upon a shaft 43. The shaft 32 will be driven at suitable speed to cause the folder to deliver the folded mouth-bag from its free end at the speed required by the feed of the stitch-forming mechanism. In this instance the fold-holders 2 and 3 are curved to fit against the sides of the folder, as shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings. The operation is the same as that already described in reference to the construction shown in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings, except that the feed of the bag-mouth from the folder is secured by thepotation of the folder instead of by its reciprocation. The bag-mouth is applied to the folder by spreading it out along the folder and then wrapping it around the folder, the folding operation being assisted by the rotating of the folder. The rotation of the folder prevents any tendency to unfold while any part of the bag is on the folder. By closing the fold-holders around the folder and applying pressure to the material of the bag-mouth the continued rotation of the folder through the action of the screw-threads or spiral ribs thereon causes the mouth of the bag to move forward to the stitch-forming mechanism until engaged by the presser devices and feed of such mechanism by which the fold is flattened and passed beneath the needle. By driving the mechanism at a suitable speed bag-mouths can be folded and passed to the sewing mechanism with but little stoppage.

I claim as my invention 1. In a filled-bag-sewing machine, the combination with stitch-forming mechanism, of an automatic folder for forming a fold in the top of the bag, and means for feeding the folded bag-top to the stitch-forming mechanism.

2. In a filled-bag-sewing machine, the combination with stitch-forming mechanism, of a revoluble folder for forming a fold in the top of the bag, and means for feeding the folded bag-top to the stitch-forming mechanism.

3. In a filled-bag-sewing machine, the combination, with stitch-forming mechanism, of a folder for forming a fold in the top of the bag, and means for moving said folder and thereby feeding the bag-top from said folder to the stitch-forming mechanism.

4:. In a filled-bag-sewing machine, the combination, with stitch-forming mechanism, of a folder for forming afold in the top of the bag, and means for reciprocatingsaid folder and thereby feeding the folded bag-top from said folder to the stitch-forming mechanism.

5'. In a filled-bag-sewing machine, the combination, with stitch-forming mechanism, of a folder provided with a serrated edge, and means for reciprocating said folder.

6. In a filled-bag-sewing machine, the com bination, with stitch-forming mechanism, of a folder, means for holding a folded bag-mouth against said folder, and means for feeding the folded bag-mouth from said folder to the stitchforming mechanism.

7. The combination, with the reciprocating folder, of the fold-holders arranged to hold folded material upon said folder and a stitchforming mechanism to which the folded material is fed by saidfolders.

8. The combination, with a revoluble folder of a clip 13 arranged upon said folder, a stitchforming mechanism and means for feeding folded material from said folder to said stitchforming mechanism.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of February, 1903.

' JOHN BIGELOW. In presence of RICHARD PAUL, A. C. PAUL. 

